Obituaries for June 5, 2025
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Shirley M. Becenti
WINDOW ROCK – Funeral services for Shirley M. Becenti, 88, of Fort Defiance, will be held Friday, June 6, at 10 a.m., at the Window Rock Christian Reform Church with Rev. Stanley Jim officiating. Burial will follow in Fort Defiance.
Shirley M. Becenti, June 8, 1936 – May 26, 2025
Shirley was born June 8, 1936, in Fort Defiance, into the Bit’ahnii (Folded Arms Clan), born for ‘Áshįįhí (Salt People Clan). She passed away May 26, 2025, in Draper, Utah.
Shirley attended Rehoboth High School and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Utah State University. She worked for the Navajo Nation and was an elementary school teacher in Logan, Utah, and Tuba City, Kayenta, and Fort Defiance.
Shirley enjoyed nature walks, Bible studies, playing the piano, watching Western movies and Heartland TV series, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her husband of 70 years, Dennis Becenti; son, Roc Becenti; daughters, Sharon Becenti, Doreen Becenti, Andrea Redhouse, Talleatha Silversmith, and Darcy Stock; and 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
Shirley is preceded in death by Joe Watchman, Mae Watchman, Eugene Watchman, Deb Becenti, Christopher Yazzie, and Matthew Becenti.
Pallbearers will be Samuel Becenti, Samuel Silversmith, Roc Becenti, Michael Becenti, Derrick Stock, and Sylvian Smith.
Honorary pallbearers will be Alexous Becenti Sr., Gifford Silversmith, Darcy Stock, Harold Redhouse, Wesley Becenti, Dennis Hayden Stock, Kevin Watchman, Gary Watchman, Brian Stock, Nicki Becenti, Byron Gutierrez, Clayton Becenti, and Lydel Yazzie.
A reception will take place at the Fort Defiance Chapter House following services.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Christina L. Jones
GALLUP – Funeral services for Christina Lovey Jones, 40, of Pinedale, New Mexico, will be held today, June 5, at 1 p.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow at the Gallup City Cemetery.
Christina Lovey Jones, Oct. 24, 1984 – May 27, 2025
Christina was born Oct. 24, 1984, in Gallup, into the Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). She passed away May 27, 2025, in Pinedale.
Christina enjoyed family cookouts, listening to music, doing her artifacts making jewelry, and spending time with her brother BJ and Jody and her children whom she loved dearly.
Christina is survived by her sons, Titus Ray Francisco, Tyler Plummer and LeAntony Plummer; daughters, Justine Jane Francisco, Shawna Darlene Francisco and Shawnadean Orlene Francisco; brothers, Kenneth Jones Jr., Melvin Jones and Brian Jones; and sisters, Darlene Begay, Marlene Jones and Tina Jones.
Christina is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Francisco; mother, Lillie Jones; father, Kenneth Jones Sr.; and sisters, Orelene Yazzie and Vivian Jones.
Pallbearers will be Kenneth Jones Jr., Brian Jones, Titus Francisco, Ryan Jones, Byron Begay, Aaron Davis, Fairren Y. Begay, and Mathew Yazzie.
Honorary pallbearers will be Tyler Plummer and LeAntony Plummer.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Kenneth R. Begay
FLAGSTAFF – Funeral services for Kenneth Roy Begay, 73, of Cameron, Arizona, will be held Friday, June 6, at 9:30 a.m., at Norvel Owens Mortuary in Flagstaff. Burial will follow at the Arizona Veterans Cemetery at Camp Navajo at 12 p.m.
Kenneth Roy Begay, May 25, 1951 – May 19, 2025
Kenneth was born May 25, 1951, in Tuba City, into the Hashk’ąą hadzohí (Yucca Fruit-Strung-Out-In-A-Line Clan), born for Deeshchii’nii (Start of the Red Streak People Clan). His nálí is Tsi’naajinii (Black Streak Wood People); cheii is Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House). He passed away May 19, 2025, in Flagstaff.
Kenneth served in the Air Force in 1969 and was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged with a rank of sergeant in 1975.
Kenneth was employed with Salt River Project in Page, Arizona, for over 20 years. He enjoyed making jewelry and dreamcatchers, traveling with family, eating, and watching movies.
Kenneth is survived by his wife, Lucille Begay; children, Juanita Ayala of Sahuarita, Arizona, Kurt Begay of Flagstaff, and Jeremiah Begay of Kileen, Texas; siblings, Simon Yazzie, Omar Yazzie, Milton Yazzie, Vera Yazzie, and Lorena Yazzie; and 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Kenneth is preceded in death by his parents, Juanita Yazzie and Allen Begaye; brothers, Rex Begaye, Marvin Begaye, Orlando Yazzie, Starley Yazzie, Steven Yazzie, Vincent Yazzie, and Glenn Yazzie; sister, Sally Begaye; sons, Kenley Begay, Pernell Begay and Kendrick Begay; daughter, Jaqueline Bishop; grandson, Tomas Ayala; and grandparents, Frank and Grace Johnson.
A reception will take place at the Fort Tuthill County Park Maricopa Ramada following services.
Norvel Owens Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Mary L. Harrison
WHIPPOORWILL, Ariz. – Graveside service for Mary Lou Harrison, 78, of Whippoorwill, Arizona, was held June 2 at the family plot in Whippoorwill, with Pastor Tom Burbank officiating.
Mary was born in Whippoorwill, into the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). Her nálí is Naaneesht’ézhí Táchii’nii (Charcoal Streaked Division of Red Running Into the Water); cheii is Tó Dík’ǫ́zhí (Salt Water). She passed away May 25, 2025, in Farmington.
Mary graduated from high school in 1967 in Riverside, California, and attended Colorado Community College for certified nursing assistant studies. She enjoyed sewing, reading, crossword puzzles, and watching World Wrestling Entertainment.
Mary is survived by her husband, Lee Harrison; sons, Lothario Harrison and Anthony Harrison; daughter, Trina Harrison; brother, Kee Billy Yazzie; and 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents, Yilnanebah Joe and John Yazzie; brothers, Kee Chee Yazzie and Woody Yazzie; and grandparents, Tse Eahe Bitsi and Albert Denezpi.
Pallbearers were Anthony Harrison, Lothario Harrison, Antonio Harrison, and Keanu Joe.
Honorary pallbearers were Lee Harrison and Trina Harrison.
Silver Creek Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Herman Larry Sr.
GALLUP – Funeral services for Herman Larry Sr., 70, of Thoreau, New Mexico, will be held Friday, June 6, at 9 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup. Burial will follow in Gallup.
Herman was born Dec. 5, 1954, in Thoreau, into the Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan), born for Tó’aheedlíinii (Water Flow Together Clan). He passed away May 22, 2025, in Thoreau.
Herman is survived by his sons, Thorton Larry, Herman Larry Jr. and Ruben Larry; daughter, Gina Larry; brothers, Jones Larry and Jerry Larry; sisters, Elouise Jackson-Martinez, Vina Larry, Vera Chee, and Nora Larry; and three grandchildren.
Herman is preceded in death by his parents, Archie Larry and Betty Francisco Larry; and Gino Larry, Calvin Larry, and Marvin Larry.
A reception will take place at the Thoreau Chapter House following services from 1-6 p.m.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
Angerine Mann
GALLUP – Funeral services for Angerine Mann, 39, of Pinedale, New Mexico, will be held Monday, June 9, at 9 a.m., at Rollie Mortuary in Gallup, with Nathan Lynch officiating. Burial will follow at the New Life Cemetery in Pinedale.
Angerine was born April 12, 1986, in Gallup, into the Tó Baazhní’ázhí (Two Who Came To the Water Clan), born for Bįįh bitoodnii (Deer Spring Clan). She passed away May 25, 2025, in Englewood, Colorado.
Angerine graduated from Gallup High School and studied business administration at ATI in Albuquerque. She was a full-time devoted mother to two daughters who enjoyed traveling with family and was a true believer in God.
Angerine is survived by her daughters, Nevaeh Mann and Nalani Makana Matthews; brothers, Jerome Mann and Tyrone Mann; sister, Andrea Mann; maternal grandparents, Nellie and John Jim Tom of Pinedale; and paternal grandparents, Sam and Rena Nez Mann of Kaibeto, Arizona.
Angerine is preceded in death by her parents, Murphy and Evelyn Tom Mann; and brother, Everette Mann.
Pallbearers will be Lamuel Mann, Darvin Bills, Jerome Mann, Randall Tom, Leighton Mann, Jaquan Morgan, and Tyrone Mann.
A reception will take place at the Pinedale Chapter House following services.
Rollie Mortuary oversaw arrangements.
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